For this particular project we were commissioned by a subsidiary of the Dow Chemical company to design and create an exhibition model that demonstrated the unique properties of their rail-track ballast stabilization system. The key feature of the product was that it bonded the ballast together whilst still allowing free drainage between the individual stones. This free draining aspect was the product’s major advantage and the display had to illustrate this in a visual demonstration. It also had to be compact and portable as it would be travelling to exhibition venues all over the world (the electrics needed to be compatible with multinational power systems). Our solution was to create a “Rain Machine” that showed a sample of the client’s product (using clear stones rather than conventional ballast) under a continuous deluge of water, set within a Perspex tank. The clear void underneath the ballast showed the “rain water” draining freely into the collection tank below where it was pumped back up to the header tank at the top to continue the cycle. This image shows the model without the water running for clarity. Since this picture was taken branding graphics have been added and the model has gone off to its first venue in Germany. We’re hoping to add some on-site “in action” shots at a later date.